During the ongoing bail hearing of two accused in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (June 11), the court heard that the kidnapping of a Mbombela businessman was allegedly orchestrated by a former police officer.

Lowvelder reports the state continued its cross-examination of the investigating officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mkhonza. He testified that a former police officer, now deceased, Melusi Nhlapo, was allegedly the leader of the operation.

“A month before the crime was committed, on March 12, Nhlapo drove a UD truck from the East Rand to Mpumalanga with a trailer,” Mkhonza told the court.

Alleged planning before the kidnapping

According to Mkhonza, Nhlapo was transporting a silver Mercedes-Benz sedan containing rifles. He added that the truck was fitted with a tracking device and records showed it travelled to several areas in the Nkomazi region before ending up in White River.

He further testified that on the day of the kidnapping, April 14, the victim had picked up his daughter from the gym and was driving along Ferreira Street en route to his home in Shandon Estate.

“The Mercedes-Benz sedan was used to bump the victim’s G-Wagon,” Mkhonza said.

He added that accused two drove the Mercedes-Benz sedan and initially told police he was alone in the vehicle.

“Accused one was in a white Volkswagen Golf R with Nhlapo and two other suspects,” Mkhonza testified.

He explained that after the collision, the victim stopped to inspect the damage.

Mkhonza said two men approached the G-Wagon from behind. A shot was fired, striking the driver’s door. One of the suspects then allegedly opened the door and ordered the victim and his daughter to lie down. The victim ran towards the Shandon Estate gate for help while more shots were fired. He surrendered and was forced into the VW Golf R before the suspects fled the scene.

Tracking and cellphone evidence

According to Mkhonza, the suspects drove through Steiltes along Dr Enos Mabuza Drive towards KaNyamazane. The victim was later handed over to another man identified only as Tiger ‘TT’, who allegedly transported him in a black Toyota Starlet. The victim’s whereabouts after this remain unknown.

Evidence, including photos of the vehicles allegedly involved, was submitted to the court by the state. Defence attorney Vusi Sekgodi argued that the evidence did not clearly show Shandon Estate, the suspects’ faces or any registration numbers. Magistrate Patrick Morris ruled that the evidence would be admitted during the bail hearing.

State advocate Maluleka asked Mkhonza how police had confirmed that the vehicles were at the scene.

Mkhonza testified that accused one was the owner of the VW Golf R and that tracking records placed the vehicle at the scene at 20:08 when the crime was committed. Cellphone records also allegedly showed that accused one’s phone was active near the estate gate at about 11:15 earlier that day.

Matter postponed

The two accused face charges of kidnapping and attempted extortion. The matter was postponed to next Thursday and Friday (June 18 and 19) for the continuation of the bail hearing.

Although the victim’s identity is known to Lowvelder, the publication has chosen not to publish it for legal and ethical reasons. The identities of the accused have also been withheld in line with South African media and court reporting practices, particularly in matters involving extortion-related charges before the accused have pleaded in court.

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